With only 12 days remaining until the 15-day deadline for submitting the new government’s composition and program for approval, Prime Minister-designate Albin Kurti said on Tuesday that his focus is on analyzing the results of local elections and preparing for the upcoming runoffs.
“There is a lot of work these days analyzing results from the centers. We need to review the contributions of the campaigns in the municipalities compared to the results achieved so far, so that we can begin the runoff campaigns as soon as possible. I haven’t been able to start these communications yet, but we are making a plan for this as well. We have more than 10 days left,” Kurti explained.
Kurti was mandated by President Vjosa Osmani on October 10 to form the new government. Despite the approaching deadline, he shows no rush, emphasizing that his immediate priority is the local election runoffs.
To form a government, Kurti needs the support of at least 61 MPs. LVV, the largest party following the national elections on February 9, holds 48 seats in the Assembly. Support comes from seven non-Serb community MPs and Nenad Rašić, but the backing of MPs Duda Balje (Bosniak), Veton Berisha (Egyptian), and Adem Hoxha (Goran) is not guaranteed. This means LVV still requires support from at least five additional MPs.
LVV has left open the possibility of cooperation with LDK and other parties, including NISMA Socialdemokrate, for forming the government. In earlier negotiations for constituting the ninth legislature, LVV discussed cooperation with NISMA, which has three MPs, but no agreement was reached, as NISMA demanded the parliamentary speaker position for its leader, Fatmir Limaj.
NISMA MP Xhevahir Izmaku emphasized the need for unifying leadership at the central level:
“The country needs a unique figure like Mr. Limaj to lead the most important legislative institution, the Assembly, and to provide unification. The political scene is fragmented, and for major national processes, we need leadership that ensures unity,” she stated.
Kurti has also made it clear that LVV is ready for new parliamentary elections if the government cannot be formed:
“If there is no new Kurti 3 government, we are undoubtedly ready for new parliamentary elections,” he said on Monday.
However, Izmaku urged Kurti to set aside ego, warning that new elections could harm the country:
“What logic is there to spend millions, only to end up in the same situation? Why should one MP’s ego come before the country’s interest? No political party should have thought this way,” she added.
Within LVV, cooperation for forming a government is closed to PDK and the Serbian List.
Regarding possible cooperation with LVV, LDK has not responded, and AAK leadership is scheduled to discuss the matter in a meeting on Wednesday.
According to the Constitution, if the government fails to gain the necessary majority in the Assembly, the president must mandate another candidate within 10 days. If the government fails again, elections must be announced, to be held within 40 days of the announcement.
